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March
Darren Collison Excels in Rookie Year
Filling in for injured starter Chris Paul, four-year Bruin letter-winner Darren Collison has distinguished himself as one of the top rookies in the NBA. On February 20, Collison recorded his first career triple-double, tallying 18 points, 13 rebounds, and 12 assists in a win over the Indiana Pacers. Collison also dished out a Hornets rookie-record 20 assists in a March 8 win against the Golden State Warriors.
Guerrero Honored as Finalist for Athletic Director of the Year
UCLA Athletic Director and former Bruin athlete Dan Guerrero has been nominated by Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Journal as a candidate for the nation's top Athletic Director. Every year the Sports Business Awards recognizes excellence and outstanding achievement in the business of sports. The awards will be announced on May 20 in New York City.
Cheney Leads U.S. Women's Soccer to Tournament Title
On March 3, Former Bruin all-American Lauren Cheney scored the decisive goal in the United States' 3-2 victory over Germany in the championship game of the 2010 Algarve Cup. The goal was Cheney's fourth of the tournament, which is considered the second-biggest tournament in women's international soccer, behind the World Cup.
2009
October
Two Bruins Compete in World Series
Phillies second-baseman Chase Utley and outfielder Ben Francisco represented UCLA against the New York Yankees in the 2009 World Series. While unsuccessful in repeating as MLB champions, the Phillies were led by Utley, who hit 5 home runs and drove in 6 RBI in the series.
June
Troy Aikman Returns to UCLA, Receives Degree
More than 20 years after leading UCLA Football, Troy Aikman received his degree in Sociology. Aikman participated in the Sociology Department commencement ceremony on campus on June 13 along with 450 other students. Aikman is enshrined in both the pro football and college football Hall of Fame.
March 4th
DiMartino Scores First National Team Goal in 2-0 Victory over Denmark
The U.S. Women's National Team got its 2009 Algarve Cup campaign off to a rousing start, defeating Denmark 2-0 in nasty weather conditions as midfielders Angie Wonzuk and Tina DiMartino tallied in the first half.
DiMartino's goal came off a corner kick from the left side as Christie Rampone looped her cross to the far post. U.S. forward Natasha Kai jumped high to win the ball, heading it hard off the arm of a Danish defender who was protecting the left post. The ball spun out front of the goal and DiMartino, the smallest player on the field at 5 feet 2 inches, found space to slide and smash a left-footed shot through that same defender's legs and into the net from just a few yards out.
The goal was DiMartino's first for the full U.S. National Team, and it came in just her second cap and first start.
"It's a special feeling to score a goal and, for Woznuk and DiMartino, who are fairly new to the team, it shows that on this team anyone can score," said U.S. head coach Pia Sundhage. "Everyone is happy when anyone scores a goal, but especially the new players."
Former UCLA Coach Eddie Merrins to Be Enshrined in PGA Golf Professional Hall of Fame
Hall of Fame golf coach Eddie Merrins will add another honor to his illustrious career. On May 5, Merrins will be inducted into the PGA Golf Professional Hall of Fame in Port Lucie, Fla.
Merrins, 76, coached UCLA from 1975-1989 and led the Bruins to their first NCAA golf championship in 1988. He coached former Bruins and current PGA Tour members Corey Pavin, Tom Pernice, Jr., Duffy Waldorf, Scott McCarron and Brandt Jobe among others. During his tenure, the Bruins won 65 tournaments, 30 individual titles, and he tutored 16 All-Americans.
He was inducted into the College Golf Coaches Hall of Fame in 1992, the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame in 1996 and the World Golf Teachers Hall of Fame in 2008 -- of which he is just one of 16 members.
February 13th - 15th
Bruins Play a Large Role in NBA All-Star Weekend Festivities
UCLA was represented well on President's weekend. Starting us off on Friday was Russell Westbrook in the Sophomore/Rookie Challenge.
On Saturday, Cedric Bozeman competed in the D-League All-Star game, followed shortly by Jason Kapono's sharp-shooting in the 3-Point Shootout (for the third time); while Aaron Afflalo took home the Shooting Stars title for the Detroit team.
February 2nd
Two Bruins Head ESPN's List of California's Mt. Rushmore
ESPN compiled a list of the 4 greatest sports figures in California's history, and UCLA is proud to be affiliated with two of them.
ESPN reviewed the submissions and discussions of all Californians who participated and chose the four figures on California's Sports Rushmore below:
John Wooden (UCLA) - Wooden won 10 National Championships at UCLA.
Jackie Robinson (Pasadena; UCLA) - The Hall of Famer lettered in football, basketball, baseball and track while at UCLA. He broke the MLB color barrier and was the 1949 NL MVP.
Tiger Woods (Cypress; Stanford) - The 14-time Major winner is also the PGA TOUR's all-time money winner.
Magic Johnson (LA Lakers) - The Hall of Famer won three NBA MVPs, three NBA Finals MVPs, and was the NBA All-Star MVP twice.
Other UCLA affiliated nominees included:
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (UCLA, LA Lakers) - 3-time National Champ at UCLA, All-time leading scorer in NBA, 6 NBA MVP
Jackee Joyner-Kersee - Won 3 Olympic gold medals; Voted by SI as greatest female athlete of the 20th century
Rafer Johnson - 1958 SI Sportsman of Year; Starter on '59-60 UCLA basketball team; Gold medal in decathlon at '60 Olympics; carried torch at 1984 Olympic Opening Ceremonies
February 1st
Two Bruins Are NFL Super Bowl Champs!
Travis Kirschke and Bruce Davis were victorious on Super Bowl Sunday. The Steelers (15-4) defeated the Cardinals (12-8) by a score of 27-23, earning their sixth Super Bowl win, and thus securing sole possession of the record for most Super Bowl wins. This was the second championship for Kirschke and the first for Davis.
January 26th
Carnell Lake Joins UCLA Coaching Staff
All-American and All-Pro will coach Bruin cornerbacks
Carnell Lake, who earned All-America honors at UCLA and All-Pro acclaim in the National Football League, has been hired to coach the Bruin cornerbacks, head football coach Rick Neuheisel announced today.
"We are thrilled to bring Carnell back to UCLA," said Neuheisel. "He had a great playing career, both at UCLA and in the NFL, and was a real student of the game. We believe the qualities that made him a great player will translate to his coaching assignment.
"I also feel he will be a great asset in recruiting. He grew up in Los Angeles, went to school at UCLA, was a great student and played for a long time in the NFL. He is the prototype of the young men we are looking to recruit to UCLA."
Lake, 41, was a three-year (1986-88) starting outside linebacker (he was a key reserve as a true freshman) at UCLA and excelled both on the field and in the classroom.
January 26th
L.A. Sports Awards Honor UCLA
Three straight Final Four trips selected No. 6 sports moment
The UCLA men's basketball team reaching the Final Four for the third consecutive year last season was voted among the top local sports moments for 2008 by a panel of media experts. The Bruins' outstanding achievement was recognized at the 4th annual L.A. Sports Awards, held Friday, January 23 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
The L.A. Sports Awards were created by the Los Angeles Sports Council to recognize the year's biggest and best moments in sports in the Los Angeles/Orange County area.
January 18th
Bruins In Super Bowl XLIII
Two Steelers and one Cardinal represent UCLA on active rosters, one Cardinal on practice squad.
Three players on active rosters and one on a practice squad will represent UCLA in Super Bowl XLIII on February 1, 2009.
Matt Ware, who started at cornerback for the Bruins for three years (2001 - 2003), is the No. 2 free safety and a special teams starter for the NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals. This will be Ware's second Super Bowl, having played for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2005. In addition, Dennis Keyes, the starting free safety who led the Bruins in tackles in 2007, was added to the Practice Squad in late December. Travis Kirschke and Bruce Davis are members of the AFC Champion Pittsburgh Steelers. Kirschke, who was a starting defensive tackle during his four-year UCLA career (1993-96), is the No. 2 left defensive end for the Steelers. He also played in Super Bowl XL (2006) for Pittsburgh. Davis, who earned All-America honors as a defensive end for the Bruins a year ago, is the No. 2 left outside linebacker who played in a few games in 2008.
UCLA will have at least one player in the Super Bowl for the 28th time in 30 years. Beginning with Super Bowl XIV (1980), only the games in 2000 and 2008 did not have at least one Bruin on a team roster.
January 16th
Three Bruins Selected in 2009 WPS Draft
UCLA midfielder Christina DiMartino was selected as the third overall pick by the FC Gold, headlining a trio of Bruin players who were chosen in the 2009 Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) Draft in St. Louis, Mo. UCLA senior McCall Zerboni (47th pick - 7th Rd.) and former goalkeeper Valerie Henderson (33rd pick - 5th Rd.) were also selected by the Los Angeles Sol. "I'm delighted that these players have been selected and that their careers get to continue," said UCLA head coach Jillian Ellis. "I think they will be wonderful additions to their teams and I look forward to continuing to watch their growth and cheer on their success."
Jan. 12, 2009
Monique Henderson and Tiffany Joh Selected Stars of the Year
San Diego Hall of Champions names two Bruins to its prestigious list.
Olympic gold medalist Monique Henderson and All-American golfer Tiffany Joh are two Bruins among the 21 San Diego-area athletes who will be honored at the 63rd annual Viejas Salute to the Champions dinner on Wed., Feb. 18 at the Town and Country Hotel's Grand Exhibit Hall. The event is put on yearly by the San Diego Hall of Champions.
Henderson, a Morse High alumna, won her second career Olympic gold medal as the third leg of the victorious U.S. 4x400 relay in Beijing. In 2004, Henderson won her first gold medal in the same event in Athens. As a collegian at UCLA from 2002-05, Henderson won NCAA titles in the 400m (2005) and the Distance Medley Relay (2002). She was also a four-time Pac-10 champion, sweeping the 2005 Pac-10 200m and 400m races. A three-time collegiate All-American, Joh won her second U.S. Amateur Publinks title last June after playing on the victorious U.S. Curtis Cup Team. In May, she tied for first individually at the NCAA Championship before falling in a playoff. In 2006, she was voted the Pac-10 Newcomer of the year. In 2007 she won the Pac-10 individual title and in 2008 she was voted the Pac-10 Player of the Year. The UCLA senior carries a 3.4 cumulative grade point average in Communications and is a two-time selection to the All-Pac-10 Academic Team. Joh graduated from Rancho Bernardo High in 2006.
2008
December 16th
Brendan Ayanbadejo Named to the 2009 Pro Bowl Team
Congratulations to Brendan for making the Pro Bowl yet again! Ayanbadejo has now been elected to three straight Pro Bowls; two with the Bears and one with the Ravens. He is slated to be a starter for the 2009 game.
Brendon finished the season with 148 tackles, 1 sack and 1 interception.
December 11th
Former Bruin Corey Pavin Selected 2010 Ryder Cup Captain
Our own Corey Pavin was introduced as the next U.S. captain for the Ryder Cup and selected to lead a team in 2010 that will try to successfully defend the cup for the first time since 1993.
A former U.S. Open champion with 15 victories on the PGA Tour, Pavin played in three Ryder Cups and had an 8-5-0 record. "The Ryder Cup is in my blood," he said at a news conference. "I think if you cut my arm open, Ryder Cup would just bleed out. It's the greatest event in the world, I think, and certainly the golf world."
The 49-year-old Pavin takes over for Paul Azinger, who helped the U.S. end a decade of European dominance at the Ryder Cup with a 16 1/2 -11 1/2 victory in September at Valhalla.
Pavin played in three Ryder Cups and had an 8-5-0 record.
December 9th
Troy Aikman Inducted Into College Hall of Fame
Bruin QB honored on Tuesday night during dinner at Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York
Troy Aikman, who earned All-America honors and led UCLA to a record of 20-4 and two bowl victories during his two seasons as the starting quarterback, was inducted into the National Football Foundation College Hall of Fame on Tuesday night in New York City.
The National Football Foundation Awards dinner was held Tuesday (Dec. 9) night at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. The black-tie event honored several award winners, including the 2008 College Hall of Fame class.
October 3rd
Eight Bruins Immortalized in the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2008
We inducted yet another legendary group of student-athletes into our prestigious Hall of Fame. Here at UCLA we like to think that our athletic program is characterized by excellence. To be honored and included into such an outstanding group of peers is an accomplishment of a lifetime.
This years incoming class included: Traci Arkenberg, Soccer; Peter T. Dalis, Athletic Director/Administration; Kurt Krumpholz, Water Polo/Swimming; Leah Homma, Gymnastics; Robert Seaman, Track & Field; Jackie Tobian-Steinmann, Women's Golf Coach; Eric Turner, Football; Todd Zeile, Baseball.
August 26th
UCLA Athletes, Coaches Excel At 2008 Olympics
Bruin competitors won 15 medals, including four gold.
UCLA ranked amongst the nation's most successful universities at the recently completed Olympic Games in Beijing, China. Thirty-nine current and former Bruins participated in the Olympics, with 15 athletes winning medals, including four gold. In addition, five Bruins led their teams to medals as Olympic coaches. The first Bruin gold medalist of the Games was assistant rowing coach Mark Hunter, who captured Great Britain's first ever gold medal in lightweight double sculls with partner Zac Purchase on Aug. 17. Two days later, hurdler Dawn Harper became the second consecutive Bruin to win the 100m hurdles at the Olympics, running a lifetime best 12.54. Bruin junior Lauren Cheney played the final 49 minutes of the contest in the gold medal match, helping the U.S. women's soccer team capture the gold with a 1-0 overtime win over Brazil. And on the eve of the closing ceremonies, Monique Henderson won her second consecutive gold medal in the 4x400m Relay. Two Bruins were assistant coaches on gold medal-winning squads - current UCLA women's soccer head coach Jillian Ellis and men's volleyball alumnus John Speraw. UCLA women's track and field coach Jeanette Bolden served as head coach of the USA women's track and field squad, which won nine medals, the most since the 1992 Olympics and the third-most in U.S. history.
Nine Bruins won silver medals - one individual (Sheena Tosta in the 400m hurdles) and eight team medals. Winning team silver were the U.S. softball team (Andrea Duran, Tairia Flowers, Stacey Nuveman and Natasha Watley), the U.S. women's water polo team (Natalie Golda, Jaime Hipp and head coach Guy Baker), and the U.S. men's water polo team (Brandon Brooks and Adam Wright).
A pair of bronze medals were earned by U.S. swimmer Kim Vandenberg in the 4x400 Free Relay and Australian softball pitcher Tanya Harding, who won her fourth career Olympic medal.
Overall, UCLA sent 39 athletes/coaches to Beijing to compete.
July 7th
Former UCLA Baseball Player Chase Utley to Start in 2008 MLB All-Star Game
Former standout UCLA baseball player Chase Utley was voted by fans around the country to start at second base and represent the Philadelphia Phillies in the 79th Major League Baseball All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 15, at Yankee Stadium in New York.
Utley received 3,889,602 votes, the highest total among all National League players and the second-highest total overall, behind New York Yankee third baseman Alex Rodriguez (3,934,518). Utley, who starred on UCLA's baseball team from 1998-2000, will make his fourth consecutive All-Star Game appearance.
July 3rd
UCLA's Jackie Robinson Inducted to College Baseball Hall of Fame
Former UCLA baseball player Jackie Robinson was inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame on Thursday, July 3, as one of three Vintage-Era inductees in the 2008 Hall of Fame Class. Robinson, UCLA's first four-sport letterwinner, played baseball for the Bruins in 1940 after having played two seasons for Pasadena Junior College.
"As the game of baseball approaches its 150th anniversary, we must recognize the efforts of those who have helped build and enrich our game," said Jeff Chase, Hall of Fame co-chair and CBF board member. "Honoring these individuals is a key step in protecting the legacy of this great sport."
Robinson became the first African-American to play in the major leagues when he made his debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947. In two seasons at Pasadena Junior College, he posted a .417 batting average, totaling 43 runs and 25 stolen bases in 24 games. At UCLA, he became the school's first four-sport letterwinner, competing for the football, basketball, baseball and track and field teams.
June 26th
UCLA's Westbrook, Love Selected Fourth, Fifth in NBA Draft
They become the first Bruin duo to be selected in the top five in the NBA Draft since 1969.
Russell Westbrook and Kevin Love were both selected as lottery picks in the 2008 NBA Draft in New York at Madison Square Garden. The pair became the first Bruin duo to be drafted as lottery picks in the same year in UCLA history since lottery picks began in 1985. They also became just the sixth teammates in NBA Draft history to be drafted back-to-back and became the first Bruin duo to be drafted in the top five since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (then Lew Alcindor) and Lucius Allen were the No. 1 (Milwaukee Bucks) and No. 3 (Seattle Sonics) overall picks, respectively, in 1969.
Westbrook was the fourth overall pick by the Seattle Sonics, while Love was the fifth pick by the Memphis Grizzlies. The tandem was also the first Bruin pair to be chosen in the first round since Ed O'Bannon (9th pick by the New Jersey Nets) and George Zidek (22nd pick by the Charlotte Bobcats) were selected in the 1995 NBA Draft.
Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, who became the first Bruin to start in three straight Final Fours since Bill Walton, Jamaal Wilkes and Greg Lee in 1972-74, was selected in the second round of the 2008 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks (37th pick) later in the evening at Madison Square Garden in New York.
May 31st
Men's Golf Wins NCAA Championship
Senior Kevin Chappell made a par on the 18th hole to give UCLA a one-shot victory May 31 at the 111th NCAA Men's Golf Championship, hosted by Purdue at its Kampen Course in West Lafayette, Ind.
Chappell won the individual title and led the fourth-ranked Bruins to their first men's golf title since 1988. He finished at 2-under 286 and was the only player in the field under par for the event. He became the first UCLA player to win NCAA medalist honors.
"The feeling I have right now is better than anything," said Chappell. "To win individually is great, but it becomes even more special because the team also won. I can't say enough about this team. All season long we've always been there to pick each other up and that's what championship teams do."
May 22nd
Rafer Johnson To Be Honored
Bruin all-time great to be feted for his work with CNI
UCLA Hall of Famer Rafer Johnson will be honored for his work with the Children's Nature Institute at the organization's annual benefit dinner. The event is scheduled for June 12, 2008 at the Lexus of Santa Monica complex.
Johnson, the 1960 Olympic gold medal winner in the decathlon and a well-known philanthropist, has been a major player in the Special Olympics. Other honorees at the banquet include Doug Dutton, owner of Dutton's Brentwood Bookstore and an integral member of the westside community for over 20 years; and Mel Kay, CNI Board Member and outstanding volunteer nature walk leader. All three distinguished honorees have impacted the lives of thousands of children in their constant outreach work.
Proceeds from the Dinner will fund CNI's Outreach Discovery Program, which serves over 10,000 disadvantaged children, their teachers, and parents throughout the Los Angeles area each year.
May 20th
UCLA Women's Tennis Claims First-Ever NCAA Championship
Zalameda named tournament's most outstanding player in 4-0 win over No. 8 Cal.
Tulsa, Okla. - Bruin senior Riza Zalameda rallied from a set down to defeat rival Susie Babos of Cal, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 on Tuesday, clinching the first-ever NCAA Championship for the UCLA women's tennis team, as the Bruins posted a 4-0 victory over the No. 8 Golden Bears in the NCAA Final at Tulsa's Michael D. Case Tennis Center. The Bruins end their season 24-5 overall, while Zalameda was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.
"I'm not feeling anything right now, I'm so excited," said UCLA head coach Stella Sampras Webster. "Our goal all year was to win this. We had everyone coming back from last year so we knew we would be the favorite. This team never stopped believing in themselves. Every match was tight. My team dealt with the pressure well."
GO BRUINS!
May 20th
Coach John Wooden Honored at L.A. Coliseum Ceremony
UCLA Coach John R. Wooden was inducted into the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum's Court of Honor. Though the 97-year-old Wooden arrived in a wheelchair, he was in good humor. "You think I'll be able to fly out of here when I leave?" Wooden joked, referring to all the praise directed his way.
Ben Howland, Dan Guerrero, Chancellor Gene Block, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar were among local dignitaries and former UCLA players at the ceremony. Legendary Dodgers announcer Vin Scully was also present.
Scully called Wooden "a genius in his ability to inspire." Abdul-Jabbar summed up the feelings of those present to honor Wooden: "We love you, Coach."
UCLA Chancellor Gene Block said, "Of everyone at UCLA, John Wooden's name is the best known nationwide. He produced not just good players but good people."
Wooden said he was honored that his plaque was being added alongside Scully's and those of athletes who starred in the Coliseum and adjacent Sports Arena. "I can't understand why a basketball guy would be here ... [but] that's fine."
Coliseum Commission president David Israel called it appropriate that Wooden became the first 'basketball guy" in the Court of honor. "He's John Wooden," Israel said. "USC's basketball team played here from 1959 to '06, but there wasn't an SC basketball coach we would consider."
UCLA played at the Sports Arena from 1959 until 1965 then moved to Pauley Pavilion.
May 11th
UCLA Defeats USC, 6-3, To Win Fourth-Straight NCAA Title
Women's water polo goes undefeated to win UCLA's 101st NCAA championship.
Stanford, Calif. - UCLA won its fourth consecutive and sixth overall NCAA women's water polo title on Sunday evening, defeating USC, 6-3, in the championship match at Stanford University's Avery Aquatics Center. The victory was UCLA's 10th national title in women's water polo and UCLA's 101st overall NCAA title. Bruin seniors Gabrielle Domanic, Brittany Rowe, Courtney Mathewson, Jillian Kraus and Kamaile Crowell finished their careers with four NCAA titles and a pair of undefeated seasons.
GO BRUINS!
February 16th
Kapono Defends Title, Ties Record
Former Bruin and current Toronto Raptors guard Jason Kapono defended his title in the 2008 Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout with 25 points, tying the all-time record set in 1986 by Mark Price, as part of NBA All-Star Saturday Night at New Orleans Arena.
Kapono became the first back-to-back winner of the Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout since Peja Stojakovic won the 2002 and 2003 titles. Kapono entered the final round facing Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Daniel Gibson, who finished in second place with 17 points, and Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki, who took third with 14.
JANUARY 13th
NCAA 2008 Silver Anniversary Award Winners
The NCAA recognized two of our former Bruin standout student-athletes as 2008 Silver Anniversary Award winners. The award recognizes former student-athletes who have successfully finished their collegiate careers in various sports 25 years ago and gone on to excel in their chosen careers.
Cormac Carney
University of California, Los Angeles
Football
U.S. district judge
A three-year starting wide receiver and a two-time first-team all-Pacific-10 Conference selection in 1981 and 1982, Carney finished his career as the Bruins' all-time leading receiver and remains tied for No. 11 with 108 receptions for 1,909 yards and eight touchdowns. A transfer from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1980, Carney led the Bruins in receiving in each of his three seasons and helped the program compile a 26-7-2 record.
A 1982 NCAA Today's Top V selection, two-time first-team CoSIDA Academic All-American and an NCAA postgraduate scholarship winner, Carney graduated from Harvard Law School in 1987.
Carney was nominated to the federal bench by President George W. Bush in January 2003 and confirmed by the Senate that April. As a federal judge, he handles complex civil and criminal matters including patents, copyrights, trademarks, securities, business finance, civil rights, drug conspiracies and white-collar crimes. Before his most recent appointment, Carney was a California Superior Court judge appointed by Gov. Gray Davis in 2001. He also practiced business litigation with the firm of O'Melveny & Myers from 1991 to 2001.
Currently director of the board of directors for the UCLA Alumni Association, Carney also is involved with the Federal Bar Association, Orange County Bar Association and the Association of Business Trial Lawyers.
Dot Richardson
University of California, Los Angeles
Softball and basketball
Medical doctor
Richardson, a three-time all-American shortstop at UCLA, helped the Bruins win the 1982 NCAA championship and was twice selected to the all-Women's College World Series team. The NCAA Player of the Decade (1980s), she batted .367 for her career. She also starred on the hardwood as a Women's Basketball player at UCLA.
As a member of the U.S. National Softball Team, Richardson is a two-time Olympic gold medalist (1996, 2000) and four-time Pam American Games gold medalist (1979, 1987, 1995, 1999). A four-time selection as USA Softball's Most Valuable Player, Richardson was named as the United States Olympic Committee's Athlete of the Year and the Amateur Athletic Foundation Awards Southern California Athlete of the Year in 1996. She was four-time Sullivan Award nominee for outstanding amateur athlete in the United States and has earned numerous awards for community leadership.
Richardson is the medical director of the USA Triathlon National Training Center. She also is vice chair of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, an advisory group to the president and Secretary of Health and Human Services that focuses on ways to encourage Americans to be physically active, participate in sports and raise awareness of the dangers of obesity. Richardson also has produced a library of softball instructional videotapes and has designed and implemented softball camps and clinics in more than 50 cities nationwide.